What an Israeli settler pogrom feels like
Around 40 masked Israeli settlers from Havat Ma'on invaded At-Tuwani village, setting fire to a mosque, homes, and a dairy factory, and throwing stones. A pregnant woman, Roqaya Rabie, was struck by a rock, losing her unborn baby. The author describes the terror of the attack and the impunity of the settlers, with the Israeli army arriving only after the attack to confront Palestinians.
Around 40 masked Israeli settlers from the illegal outpost of Havat Ma'on invaded the village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills just after midnight on July 18, 2026. They attacked Al-Taqwa Mosque, shattering windows, pouring gasoline, and setting the entrance on fire, spray-painting Stars of David and Hebrew slogans including 'Revenge.' The settlers falsely blamed Palestinians for a wildfire that had engulfed the settlement of Havat Gilad earlier that day, which Israeli authorities later said was likely accidental. The settlers then moved from house to house, throwing stones, smashing windows, and setting homes ablaze. The author's family survived, but a pregnant woman, Roqaya Rabie, was struck by a rock and lost her unborn baby. The settlers also set fire to the village's dairy factory, a key source of income. The attack lasted about 10 minutes. The Israeli army and police arrived only after the settlers had left, confronting Palestinians instead of pursuing the attackers.